Who you gonna call?

When disputes arise at depositions, as they often do, lawyers will threaten to get the judge on the line to decide who’s right and who’s wrong. A discussion at last week’s bench-bar conference in Roanoke made one thing clear – you better check who your judge is before you ask for telephonic jurisprudence.

Circuit Judge Pat Doherty spoke expansively, telling lawyers if they run into problems during depositions, “We all take phone calls. We’ll try to resolve it.” Near the other end of the dais, however, Circuit Judge William Broadhurst (pictured) was shaking his head. “Don’t call me,” he said. “Get it worked out.”

“I’ll take Broadhurst’s calls,” offered U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Urbanski in a spirit of federal-state cooperation, bringing that colloquy to an end with prolonged laughter.

One comment

Attorneys who practice in the 23rd Judicial Circuit are extremely grateful to the dedicated men and women who serve as judges in this Circuit and commit their valuable time to participate in meetings with the attorneys, such as the annual Bench Bar Conference. A big thank you from the Bar members to all the Judges who participated.